Liverpool were hammered by Atalanta in the Europa League in the first-leg of their Europa League clash with Jamie Carragher urging Jurgen Klopp to now focus solely on the Premier League. Jamie Carragher has urged Jurgen Klopp to field a second-string outfit when they face Atalanta next week and prioritise the Premier League going forward….CONTINUE READING
The Reds were humbled by the Italian outfit in the first-leg of their last eight Europa League clash, losing 3-0 at Anfield. The Merseysiders are not yet out with the return game to come in Italy next week, but they face a huge task if they are to remain in Europe.
Klopp had been hoping to depart Liverpool with a treble as Liverpool eye the league, the Europa League and the Carabao Cup – which they’ve already won. Carragher though believes the Reds need to put all their eggs in the domestic basket going into the final weeks of the season.
He said on social media: “Awful result and performance from Liverpool, the only consolation about getting beat so heavily is Jurgen should play a full second string in the second leg and go all in for the league!”
Liverpool have overturned huge European deficits in the past, doing so famously against Barcelona. That though was done with the assistance of Anfield whereas they’ll need to beat Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium by at least three goals to avoid going out next week.
The Reds are in the midst of a three-way battle for the title as Arsenal sit top and Manchester City sit third. There’s just a point between the teams as the games continue to come thick and fast. Going out of Europe could give Liverpool some breathing room when it comes to the fixture list.
City and Arsenal are, currently, still in Europe as they contest the Champions League quarter-finals and playing extra games could prove pivotal in the title run-in.
The Reds were well beaten by Atalanta in the Europa League
That said, Klopp, who will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, admitted there was “nothing positive” to take out of their hammering by Atalanta but remains confident they can produce a performance in Italy.
The Reds boss said: “I will watch this game on Monday. I know already that if we do a couple of things better, we will be better. Can we win it back? Yes, if we play good it is possible. Can we win 3-0? I have no idea. But this feels really bad and that’s important. That was a bad performance and that’s how it is. That’s how we lost. It feels always in this moment that they are through but until we play, they are not.
“We haven’t had that that often so we have to show a reaction immediately on Sunday. In this moment it must feel bad. The lads must go home and sleep badly. But we must prepare for Crystal Palace.”
